Case Report: Furosemide-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas characterized clinically by epigastric abdominal pain and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. Gallstones and chronic alcohol abuse induce the majority (>90%) of acute pancreatitis. The true incidence is unknown since there are few population-based studies available [1]. However, when the most common causes are not identified as the source of the cause of the pancreatitis practitioners must remember to take a detailed medication history. Drug-induced pancreatitis has recently gained more attention and as a result physicians are screening for medications as a cause of acute pancreatitis more frequently. We describe a case of a patient with a significant past medical history of coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease that developed acute pancreatitis after recently starting furosemide.